Craft bag

ABSTRACT

A craft bag includes a series of five panels including a backside panel, lateral side panels, a bottom panel and a top panel which may be folded to define an enclosed bag. The lateral side panels are flexibly attached to the backside panel and a stiffening mechanism for maintaining the lateral side panels and back panel in a coplanar array is provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a craft or cosmetic bag which includes a generally rectangular backside panel and lateral side panels that are foldable between a position enclosing and defining the bag and a position generally coplanar with the backside panel.

Transport of craft items, cosmetics and other materials in a convenient manner is a desirable feature for a bag. That is, a bag which is capable of storing items for decorating, painting, or other crafts, or a bag which is designed to carry cosmetic items desirably enables ease of access to the interior and thus the contents of the bag. Further, it is desirable to have a bag which is economical, lightweight, and easy to carry. These and other features inspired the development of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention is a craft bag which comprises a generally planar and rectangular backside panel having a first lateral side panel flexibly attached to one side thereof and a second lateral side panel attached to the opposite side thereof and flexibly hinged thereto. The lateral side panels fold over the backside panel to facilitate the creation of an enclosed bag. Further panels attached to the bottom and top edges of the backside panel may be folded over the folded lateral side panels to complete the carrying case or bag enclosure. As a principal feature of the invention, the backside panel includes an extensible rod assembly which includes stiff rod members capable of being extended or telescoped over at least a part of one or both of the lateral side panels and attached thereto to thereby provide a stiffening mechanism which will enable the side panels to be in a generally coplanar configuration with respect to the backside panel. The top side or top flap of the bag may be hung from a bar, for example, as the lateral side panels are extended outwardly in a coplanar fashion relative to the backside panel and the bottom side panel may be extended in a downward direction to thereby expose the entire content of the bag in a manner to facilitate access to the contents of the fully open bag. The telescoping rod members are detachable from the lateral side flaps or side panels to enable the side panels as well as the top and bottom panel to be folded in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shaped bag or container.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved craft bag, cosmetic bag, or similar bag useful for carrying a multiplicity of items internally and further capable of being folded with some or all of the sides comprising the inside of the bag having pockets, pouches and the like which are accessible when the bag is in the unfolded condition.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a craft bag which is lightweight, easy to use, inexpensive, and rugged.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a craft bag which includes elements associated with the bag that facilitate maintenance of the bag in a fully open position for access to the contents thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a craft bag which includes extensible or telescoping rod members that may be fastened to unfolded, lateral side panels in order to effect arrangement of the lateral side panels in a coplanar manner relative to a backside panel.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the craft bag of the invention wherein the various flaps or sides comprising the bag are in a fully opened condition;

FIG. 1 a is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 depicting in greater detail extensible rod members which are used to facilitate maintaining the bag in the open condition illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bag of FIG. 1 wherein the extensible rod members are released from engagement with the lateral side flaps of the bag to enable folding of the lateral side flaps or sides;

FIG. 2 a is a plan view similar to FIG. 2 depicting in greater detail the mechanism associated with the rod members that are released or capable of being released from the lateral side panels or sides;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the bag of FIG. 2 wherein the side panels or side flaps are folded to initiate the formation of an enclosed bag;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bag of FIG. 3 wherein a bottom flap is closed over the lateral side flaps to form an enclosed bag;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bag of FIG. 4 and the fully closed condition; and

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the bag of FIG. 5 in the closed condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the figures, the craft bag of the invention is depicted in a form which can be used for carrying various craft materials. However, the bag construction is not limited to carrying craft materials. Cosmetic materials, tools, and other items can be easily carried in a bag of the general design depicted in the figures. One of the objectives of the bag construction is to provide a bag construction which may be hung from a bar with the inside of the bag unfolded or exposed to reveal the contents. Thus, the bag includes a backside panel 10 which is generally rectangular in configuration and includes a first lateral side edge 12, a top side edge 14, a second lateral side edge 16 and a bottom side edge 18. Flexibly hinged to the backside panel 10 is a first lateral side panel 20. The lateral side panel 20 is flexibly hinged about the side edge 12 of the backside panel 10. Preferably, the lateral side panel 20 includes a first subsection or partial panel section 22 and a second section 24. The sections 22 and 24 are flexibly hinged about a hinge connection 26. Thus, the panel 20 may be folded so that the panel will form part of an enclosure comprised of the remaining panels defining the bag wherein the panel subsection 22 defines a side of the bag, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

In addition to the first side panel or flap 20, a second side panel or flap 30, which is generally a mirror image of the first side panel 20, is flexibly hinged to the side edge 16 of the backside panel 10. Again, the second lateral or side panel 30 includes a first section 32 hinged about a flexible hinge element 34 to a second section 36. This permits folding of the flap 30 to provide a bag enclosure, at least in part, with storage pockets on the inside as set forth hereinafter.

A bottom side flap 38 is hinged to the backside panel 10 along the flexible hinge connection and side edge 18 of the panel 10. Again, the bottom side panel 38 includes a first section 40 flexibly hinged to a second section 42 along a flexible hinge connection 44 to form a bottom portion and a first side portion of a bag enclosure that will be positioned opposite the backside panel 10. A fold over top side flap or panel 46 is hinged to the top side edge 14 of the backside panel 10 and includes a first section 48 and a second section 50 which again enable folding of the various component parts to define al enclosure The relative width of the various panel subsections 22, 48, 32 and 40 is substantially the same to thereby define the width or depth of the container or bag enclosure defined by the folded flaps or panels that fold with respect to the backside panel 10.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate the steps associated with the folding of the various panels. Thus, the first lateral side panel 20 may be folded over the backside panel 10. Then the second lateral side panel 30 may be folded over the backside panel 10 and the first side panel 20. The bottom side panel 38 may then be folded over the side panels 20 and 30. Finally the top side panel 46 may be folded over the bottom side panel 38 and the folded side panels 20 and 30. A fastening strap 60 will hold the bag assembly in the closed or folded position. First and second handles 62 and 64 attached to the front or top panel 46 and back panel 10 facilitate carrying of the assembled bag.

Each of the panels 20, 30, 10, 38 and 46 may include pockets, pouches and other devices for retaining items within the bag defined by the folded side panels. For example, pouches 70 are provided on the inside of backside panel 10. Retention loops 72 are provided on the inside of bottom panel 38. A zippered pouch 74 is provided in the first side panel 20. A pocket with a flap 76 is provided on the second side panel 30. A pouch 78 is provided in the section 32 of the second flap 30. A retention pocket 80 is provided on the inside of the top flap or panel 46. The arrangement and choice of multiple types of storage features associated with the inside of the bag may be varied in accord with the needs and desires of the designer of the bag.

An important feature of the invention relates to a mechanism which upon opening the bag, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, maintains the bag in that open, unfolded condition with the lateral side flaps 20 and 30 extending laterally and generally coplanar with the backside panel 10. The exemplary mechanism disclosed comprises an elongate rod such as rod 90 which includes an elastic connection 92 attaching it to the backside panel 10 inside a pocket 94. The rod 90 includes an elastic loop 96 at its opposite distal end which is designed to fit over a loop retention button 98 on the inside of the first lateral flap 20. The stiffening rod 90 which is retained within the tubular portion 94 thus extends substantially from that tubular section 94 to the button 98 and provides a rigid reinforcing element to maintain the first side flap 20 generally coplanar with the backside panel 10.

In a similar fashion, a generally parallel second rib or rod 100 fits within a tube 102 and is elastically connected by an elastic member 104 to the backside panel 110. An outer elastic loop 106 at the opposite end of rod 100 may be attached over a stud, rivet or button 108 on the inside of the panel 30 to again maintain the second lateral side panel 30 in a generally coplanar arrangement with the backside panel 10. Upon release of the loops 96 and 106, the rod members associated therewith; namely, rod members 90 and 102 will be retracted into the pocket sections associated therewith as depicted, for example, in FIG. 2 a and FIG. 2. Such retraction enables folding of the various panels forming the bag in the manner previously described.

The particular rod member assembly depicted comprises a preferred embodiment. However, other types of extensible rod members which provide the capacity to stiffen the connection between the lateral side panels 20 and 30 with the back side panel 10 may be utilized. For example, a hook and loop fastener may be utilized in association with an extensible rod member. Further, the rod member may be comprised of a telescoping set of rod members which telescope laterally with respect to the backside panel rather than or in addition to incorporation of an elastic connection for the rod.

Further, it is noted that the extensible rod members 90 and 100 are positioned adjacent the top edge 14 of the backside panel 10. However, positioning is not restricted to the described arrangement. The rod members may extend, for example, laterally or they may extend at an angle from the backside panel. Further, the rod members may be reversed in operation and extend from the side panels toward the backside panel 10. The rods may be positioned on the inside or outside of the backside panel or in the backside panel. The lateral side panels may also include loops or tubular sections, 21 in FIG. 1, which receive the rod members. Thus, while there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereon. 

1. A craft bag comprising, in combination: a generally planar backside panel having a generally rectangular configuration with an inside face and an outside face; a first side panel flexibly hinged to a first side of the backside panel, said first side panel foldable between an open position generally coplanar with said back side panel and a second closed position folded at least in part over the inside face of the backside panel; a first extensible generally rigid rod attached to the back side panel, said rod extensible from an unextended position within the profile of the back side panel to an extended position from the backside panel over a portion of the first side panel to maintain the first side panel generally coplanar with the backside panel; and a first fastener for attaching the first rod in the extended position.
 2. The bag of claim 1 further including a second side panel flexibly hinged to a second side of the backside panel generally opposite the first side of said backside panel, said second side panel foldable between an open position generally coplanar with said backside panel and a closed position folded at least in part over the inside face of the backside panel; a second extensible generally rigid rod attached to the backside panel, said second rod extensible from an unextended position within the profile of the backside panel to an extended position from the backside panel over a portion of the second side panel to maintain the second side panel generally coplanar with the back side panel; and a second fastener for attaching the second rod in the extended position.
 3. The bag of claim 2 wherein the backside panel includes a bottom edge and including a bottom side panel having an inside and an outside and a flexible hinge connection to the bottom edge of the backside panel for folding at least in part over the backside panel.
 4. The bag of claim 3 wherein the backside panel includes a top edge opposite the bottom edge and including a top side panel having an inside and an outside and a flexible hinge connection to the top edge of the backside panel for folding at least in part over the backside panel.
 5. The bag of claim 1 wherein the first rod is on the inside of the backside panel.
 6. The bag of claim 2 wherein the first and second rods are on the inside of the backside panel.
 7. The bag of claim 4 including a fastener for attaching the top side panel to the bottom side panel when the top side panel and bottom side panels are folded over the backside panel.
 8. The bag of claim 1 wherein the extensible rod comprises an assembly of an elastic connection to the backside panel, a generally rigid rod member extending from the elastic connection and a fastener member on the rod for attachment to the first side panel.
 9. The bag of claim 1 wherein the rod is retained in a tubular channel on the backside panel.
 10. The bag of claim 1 wherein the first side panel includes a tubular channel for receipt of the rod in the extended position.
 11. The bag of claim 1 further including a second side panel, a bottom side panel and a top side panel, said first and second side panels foldable over the backside panel, said top and bottom side panels foldable over the folded first and second side panels to form an enclosed carrying case.
 12. The bag of claim 11 further including a fastener for attaching the top side panel and bottom side panel to maintain the enclosed carrying case.
 13. The bag of claim 11 further including a handle on the top side panel for carrying the enclosed case.
 14. The bag of claim 11 further including storage pockets on at least one of the panels.
 15. The bag of claim 2 including a first rod comprised of a generally rigid rod member with an elastic connection to the backside panel, and a fastener member for attachment to the first side panel; and the second rod is comprised of a generally rigid rod member with an elastic connection to the backside panel and a fastener member for attachment to the second side panel.
 16. The bag of claim 15 further including guide channels for the rod members in the backside panel, first side panel and second side panel.
 17. A craft bag comprising, in combination: a generally planar backside panel having a generally rectangular configuration with an inside face and an outside face; a first side panel flexibly hinged to a first side of the backside panel, said first side panel foldable between an open position generally coplanar with said back side panel and a second closed position folded at least in part over the inside face of the backside panel; a first extensible generally rigid rod in the back side panel, said rod extensible from an unextended position within the profile of the back side panel to an extended position from the backside panel over a portion of the first side panel to maintain the first side panel generally coplanar with the backside panel; a first fastener for maintaining the first rod in the extended position; a second side panel flexibly hinged to a second side of the backside panel generally opposite the first side of said backside panel, said second side panel foldable between an open position generally coplanar with said backside panel and a closed position folded at least in part over the inside face of the backside panel; a second extensible generally rigid rod in the backside panel, said second rod extensible from an unextended position within the profile of the backside panel to an extended position from the backside panel over a portion of the second side panel to maintain the second side panel generally coplanar with the back side panel; and a second fastener for maintaining the second rod in the extended position.
 18. A craft bag comprising, in combination: a generally planar backside panel having a generally rectangular configuration with an inside face and an outside face; a first side panel flexibly hinged to a first side of the backside panel, said first side panel foldable between an open position generally coplanar with said back side panel and a second closed position folded at least in part over the inside face of the backside panel; a first extensible generally rigid rod slidably mounted in the back side panel, said rod extensible from an unextended position within the profile of the back side panel to an extended position from the backside panel over a portion of the first side panel to maintain the first side panel generally coplanar with the backside panel; a first fastener for holding the first rod when in the extended position; a second side panel flexibly hinged to a second side of the backside panel generally opposite the first side of said backside panel, said second side panel foldable between an open position generally coplanar with said backside panel and a closed position folded at least in part over the inside face of the backside panel; a second extensible generally rigid rod slidably mounted in the backside panel, said second rod extensible from an unextended position within the profile of the backside panel to an extended position from the backside panel over a portion of the second side panel to maintain the second side panel generally coplanar with the back side panel; and a second fastener for holding the second rod when in the extended position.
 19. A craft bag comprising, in combination: a generally planar backside panel having a generally rectangular configuration with an inside face and an outside face; a first side panel flexibly hinged to a first side of the backside panel, said first side panel foldable between an open position generally coplanar with said back side panel and a second closed position folded at least in part over the inside face of the backside panel; a first extensible generally rigid rod in the back side panel, said rod extensible from an unextended position within the profile of the back side panel to an extended position from the backside panel over a portion of the first side panel to maintain the first side panel generally coplanar with the backside panel; a first fastener for holding the first rod when in the extended position; a second side panel flexibly hinged to a second side of the backside panel generally opposite the first side of said backside panel, said second side panel foldable between an open position generally coplanar with said backside panel and a closed position folded at least in part over the inside face of the backside panel; a second extensible generally rigid rod in the backside panel, said second rod extensible from an unextended position within the profile of the backside panel to an extended position from the backside panel over a portion of the second side panel to maintain the second side panel generally coplanar with the back side panel; a second fastener for holding the second rod when in the extended position; the backside panel including a bottom edge; a bottom side panel having an inside and an outside and a flexible hinge connection to the bottom edge of the backside panel for folding at least in part over the backside panel; the backside panel also including a top edge opposite the bottom edge; and including a top side panel having an inside and an outside and a flexible hinge connection to the top edge of the backside panel for folding at least in part over the backside panel. 